After being reminded that local leaders are always looking for suggestions on how to improve our communities, I thought I’d offer a few ideas. Hopefully, one or two are useful.

First, I realize budgets are limited and everything can’t be accomplished overnight. Perhaps in conjunction with other future projects, something here may work?

1. Nothing freshens up a community’s look like a new coat of paint. So, paint everything possible, from fire hydrants to white and yellow lines, crosswalks, metal poles and anything within the purview of your town.

2. Eliminate all unneeded or unreadable signage, especially those faded or pointing to places or things that no longer exist.

3. In the spring, get a handle on weeds and overgrowth before it spreads. Spray curbs and sidewalks that are infested with weeds and wild grass. Urge residents and businesses to do the same. Find ways to help seniors and the handicapped, who may be overwhelmed, and cite the lazy.

4. Remove the faded and out-of-view banners that have swamped our telephone poles. Move them to a central location where they can be viewed without driving 30 mph and craning one’s neck. Perhaps a community park like Tarentum or Brackenridge or even the county park in Harrison (with permission)?

5. Finally, new bigger and brighter street and road signs.

Perhaps setting some five-year goals would be helpful in achieving this? Common sense tells us we can’t become Beverly Hills, but that doesn’t mean we have to be Hooterville either!

Tim Kaczmarek

Natrona Heights

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